Invictus Games Opening Ceremony Photos
byToday the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler were officially opened in a ceremony and celebration at BC Place. For the next eight days, over 500 athletes from over 20 nations, will compete in 11 adaptive sports in Whistler and Vancouver, with several of the events to take place in the same venues that hosted the 2010 Olympic Games.
Invictus Games Opening Ceremony Photos
The opening ceremony included remarks from Governor General Mary Simon, Premier David Eby, and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, who is Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation and founder of the Invictus Games. 40,000 fans packed BC Place to cheer on the athletes who paraded in by country once the Invictus flag was presented by members of the Four Host First Nations.
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will be held on the traditional territories of the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Prince Harry said from the stadium’s center stage, “In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity.” He then added, “Beyond any differences, here at the Invictus Games, we are grounded in mutual respect, competing fiercely, but believing in one another, supporting one another and rooting for one another.” In a message directly to the Games competitors, he said, “Show the world the grandeur in your attempt at victory. Show the world why you are Invictus.”
Performances included Chris Martin (of Coldplay) with the Nadan Band, Universal Gospel Choir and Love Choir; Noah Kahan; Nelly Furtado with Mattmac and ILL-Abilities; Roxane Bruneau; Katy Perry; and more. There was an incredibly moving moment when Master-Corporal James Gendron played the bagpipes with a circle of drummers from the Four Host First Nations around him, then 300 other bagpipers joined in. Read his story here.
Watch the opening and closing ceremonies, and events online here, and get tickets to the sporting events here. Admission at the Whistler sites is free!
BC Premier David Eby also addressed the crowd in a unifying moment. “Behind me we’ve got our friends from the United States here today and look, I know our countries are having moment right now right but there is not a person here, there is not a Canadian that does not know that our soldiers have fought, and died, and cried, and celebrated beside Americans for generations.” He added. “I’ll tell you as a politician, that it doesn’t matter what the politicians say. Because if you need us, you just say the word USA. If we ever need you, and it ever came down to it, we know you’d be there in a second.” The crowd roared, stood up and made heart hands, and applauded.
Visit the free Invictus Games Villages in Vancouver and Whistler
View the Full Album
Follow the Games on Instagram for the latest information.
About the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 celebrates the unconquered human spirit of military service members and Veterans who are wounded, injured, or sick. From February 8-16, 2025, over 500 of these heroes will travel from up to 25 different nations to Vancouver and Whistler for the first-ever Winter hybrid Games. These service members will compete in 11 different sports to support their journey of recovery with their family and friends cheering them on from the sidelines.
Follow the Games on Instagram for the latest information.
Schedule
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Wheelchair Basketball pools, semi, and finals
Wheelchair Curling pools, semi, and finals
Monday, February 10, 2025
Skeleton
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Ski, snowboard, nordic, and biathlon
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Ski and snowboard finals
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Wheelchair rugby pools, semi, finals
Friday, February 15, 2025
Swimming
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Sitting Volleyball pools, semi, finals
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Indoor Rowing and the Closing Ceremonies
Related:
